Aldi Poole plans rejected after support from residents and councillors

Councillors have rejected the proposal for a new shop in Alder Road on a derelict industrial estate. 

However, three years after it was initially lodged, this may not be the end for Aldi’s application.

Councillors rejected the plans due to a 'lack of evidence' proving it the retailer had marketed the site. 

Planning committee chairman Cllr Dave Kelsey refused the application during a meeting on Thursday, despite being strongly in favour of the plans.

Nonetheless, he advised Aldi to “go away, spend a couple of months doing marketing work and come back”.

Aldi plans in Alder Road (Image: Aldi)

Read more: Aldi proposal decision looms after Asda takes council to High Court

He told the committee: “The one thing the applicants should probably have done, and haven’t done, is they have not produced evidence that they have actually marketed that property and site. 

“I would dearly love to grant this today, but I have seven people in favour and seven against, meaning I would have the casting vote and I am not prepared to do that.” 

More than 400 residents wrote letters of support for Aldi, while 17 objected to the proposals.

A planning application to convert into a care home was previously approved, however, this never went through. 

Aldi was then given planning permission late last year but, after Asda took BCP Council to the High Court over lack of detail in the decision-making process, the result was quashed. 

The Tangerine Sugar Confectionery factory, Alder Road (Image: Daily Echo)

Cllr Tony O’Neill gave multiple arguments in favour of the application, adding the plans are like a “magic roundabout – it keeps coming back round to us”. 

He added: “The way it will affect the Wallisdown store [a mile up the road] is all speculation.  

“People who put plans down for a multi-million-pound development do a lot of homework.” 

Cllr Bob Lawton, also in support, added: “I don’t see many care homes queueing up to use the site. 

“In 10 years’ time, we could end up still with a derelict site.”

Read more: Aldi plans for Poole take a step closer

Supporting, Cllr Steve Baron said Asda is a “rival supermarket and some clever people trying to clutch at straws” and said a care home shouldn’t be on the site because “in your twilight years you deserve better than to be put in an industrial estate.” 

Cllr Tony Trent questioned why he and his fellow councillors were the ones to make a decision again after the legal challenges. 

“To have a new trial with the same jury is inappropriate,” he said. “I remain concerned about the effect this will have on the Wallisdown centre.” 

The Daily Echo has approached Aldi for comment.